This is by far my favorite little throw together that I learned from my old roommates. They said they learned it from their brother who traveled a lot and brought this masterpiece of a recipe back home. So simple. So delicate. So perfect. I have this all the time! It's cheap, easy and incredibly delicious. If you love these few ingredients alone, you will love them on this open face sandwich!

How To:Toast your bagel however desired, top with a generous amount of cream cheese (I have been using a store bought combo of cream cheese & greek yogurt and it is bomb), add however many slices of cucumber you like (I usually do five or six per half bagel), crack that pepper and add that salt, add the slices of tomato so it towers in its glory (split the tomato so it's equal portions for both halves of sandwich), polish it off with some more Cracked Pepper and Sea Salt!

There is a beautiful lake a few minutes from me and my brother’s apartment. For living in that area since August, it’s a wonder why I have not been over there yet. Sure, I drive by it and I wave and stuff… but my brother got a bike for Christmas from his lurvely lady and he is always riding over to the trails and he tells me how awesome it is. Daniel and I have been trying to get over there together for the past week or two but this North Texas weather! It’s a replica of Katy Perry’s first hit single back in 2008, you know the one. Then finally the weather was so bomb yesterday, --it was on point-- Daniel met me at my apartment after I got off work and we threw on some tennis shoes, grabbed our shades and started walking toward the lake. It was so gorgeous outside, just the smell of the trail pavement and lake water made me want to sing! We walked for two hours straight --no, not running // we don’t work out that often, baby steps people-- and by the time we made it back to my place, I felt sogood. I mean, duh, my legs hurt and the three flights of stairs up to my place was like the scene when Louis Stevens sillywalked for the egg race, but my insides felt great. Maybe it’s the depressing weather we’ve been getting or maybe not having my iPhone is finally starting to get to me --COMMUNICATION IS IMPORTANT, PEOPLE-- but I was in such a funk! Yesterday seriously upped my mood and view on life as of late. I can’t wait to get back out there. Daniel and I decided a patio was crucial yesterday --even if we had just walked five miles-- so we headed to an amazing one for happy hour and enjoyed wine and the wind. Then we polished our night off with Torchy’s Tacos and Catching Fire - he hadn’t seen it yet and I was like “oh my glob, okay, alright, come on, let’s go, this is happening, this is what we play for”. He loved it, duh. If I can’t make it to the trail today I will just have to hop on a treadmill at the apartments and enjoy the scenic view of the dog park as puppies poop. Can’t wait. This is what I’ll be doing!

I have been completely iPhone free for about a week now. No, this was not my choice. It was stolen at a furniture store as I sat my butt to and fro on all different furniture sets trying to help a friend choose the perfect comfort/stylish set for his apartment. And yes, I do plan to replace it as soon as I can. However, I feel a sense of gratitude- like I’ve finally been released from my social media duties and my constant phone check for text messages and emails. My week has been a pretty blissful throwback to my first cell phone in 2004. Which entails: five saved contacts, limited minutes and slow texting because T9 is hard again. Right before I had my shattered iPhone 5S taken from me, I was battling this weird guilt in my heart like I was the one stressing my day to day life by expecting this hand-held computer to entertain my every second. I’d sit there and look through pinterest or instagram and not even care who or what was around me. I used it to entertain myself at stop lights, in traffic, waiting in lines, while Daniel went to the bathroom during dinner at a restaurant, while I walked through the store, sitting around with friends, trying to fall asleep, the first thing when I woke up, watching TV, getting ready- it had consumed me (like the humans from Wall-E). I felt like life was moving so much faster than it should because my every moment was being consumed. I usually did this to make time go by faster. And what kind of life is that? I don’t want to be so dependent on something so materialistic. I literally made the choice to not go out and do something last weekend because I wouldn't be able to pull up directions as I was driving there. And while I do have an iPad, I made a point not to use it like I would my cell phone because I literally wanted to detox my brain. That’s probably being dramatic, but I felt like that was happening. I’ve read three books in four days. I’ve scrubbed a bathroom and kitchen. I looked around outside at stop lights. I didn’t pull out the flip-phone while driving. I’ve relaxed. That being said, I am not a crazy, anti-media maniac. In fact, I will probably be ready to have it back asap, however, I've just been thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to not be on my iPhone every waking moment. When it is finally replaced, I hope I remember how good it feels to not be so caught up with what everyone/thing is posting.

I'm Alyssa, thanks for stopping by! A few things: I enjoy laughing, making youtube videos and thrift shopping. Currently listening to "Everything Now" by Arcade Fire. I like my coffee black and my preferred method of maxin' & relaxin' is with my husband and pup.